PROGRESS REPORT ON PULLMAN OBSERVATION CAR No 14 AT DERBY
17th March 2007

Update from Steve Doughty - dated 18th March 2007
Car 15 Project Leader and Swanage Railway Trust Deputy Chairman, Swanage Railway.
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Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 at Rampart, Derby, 17th Mar 2007 - Photograph copyright Steve Doughty, Car 14 project leader and Swanage Railway Trust Deputy Chairman.

Steve Doughty writes:

To all supporters of the Pullman Car 14 Project

I went up to Derby on Saturday 17th March with James Cox, LCW Manager of the Swanage Railway, Nick Brown, General Manager and Ivan Godfrey, to view Car 14 at Rampart and to agree the initial overhaul workscope.

The general view of Rampart proprietor Paul Ramsden is that Car 14 is in 'pretty good shape' , which is good to hear as it is consistent with what everyone else has said!

The roof is sound although it requires new canvas to make it watertight - this had been a perennial problem in San Francisco and not solved by the addition of many layers of rubber 'gunk'. However, this and the car-port which they put on when the gunk failed has generally kept the weather out such that the correct repair can be carried out without too much difficulty.

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 at Rampart, Derby, 17th Mar 2007 - Photographs copyright Steve Doughty.

For the time being, the air-conditioning ducting that was let into the roof void will be left in situ, at least until such time as we completely strip the interior to do the 'phase 2' restoration to the 1947 'art-deco' standard. A small quantity of asbestos has been found behind the steam heat pipes and this is going to be stripped out by professional sub-contractors.

The US added Observation end frame extension that held the US coupler has been removed from the buffer mounts on which it was fitted, to reveal the original end design (nb frame extension available for sale!). Buffers from the observation end will be transferred to the observation end to ensure that the 'more often seen' end will look right and replacements are being sourced for the gangway end.

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 at Rampart, Derby, 17th Mar 2007. The US added Observation end frame extension that held the US coupler has been removed from the buffer mounts on which it was fitted, to reveal the original end design. - Photographs copyright Steve Doughty.

A replacement door (left side, looking forward) is sought - inward opening (of course) with elliptical profile at the top - dimensions are approx 26 inches wide x 71 inches high - contact Steve Doughty on stephen.doughty1@btopenworld.com or on 07860-108754 if you think you can help.

That just leaves the seats, options for which are now being developed. Essentially, the options are to either fit new-build copies of the originals now or to fit something else as an interim solution. The latter is more likely to be realistic given the cost and timescales for new build, but until we see what is available and at what cost, both remain on the table. The interim solution must be appropriate and not look out of place. The seat frame will need to be capable of being fixed in place and should have a low back (as did the originals) in order to maintain the 'open' nature of the car and the unobstructed views which are clearly crucial to its purpose. If anyone knows of any 'period' seats from 1930's to the 1950's that might be available for sale or for a 'borrow', please get in touch. Railway origin is not essential.

As a final word, we are of course still fund-raising for the restoration of Car 14, so if you want to see her in service this summer, please give generously via our website (see below) or send cheques payable to the Swanage Railway Trust (Devon Belle), Station House, Swanage, DORSET, BH19 1HB

Many thanks

Steve Doughty

Donations to the Pullman restoration project can be made to the Swanage Railway Trust (Devon Belle Fund), Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB or on-line by debit or credit card via the Trust’s website at ‘www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk’ by following this link.

Please click here to visit the Swanage Railway Trust Appeals section at http://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk/appeals/index.htm#Devon

In the event that the project is not successful, donations received with a return address will be refunded. Any balance will go to progress other projects.

Contact details:
Steve Doughty
Deputy Chairman
Swanage Railway Trust
Station House
Swanage
DORSET
BH19 1HB
Tel: 07860-108754
Email: stephen.doughty1@btopenworld.com